West Virginia’s Wyatt Milum Blocks Like He Means It

There’s a lot to like about West Virginia left tackle Wyatt Milum on his 2023 game film. I went back and studied every rep he took during that season, and he was impressive. The more I watched him, the more he endeared himself to me.

It’s not always pretty with Milum, but he’s often effective.

This West Virginia left tackle is like a rough-and-tumble mountain man who kicks ass.

There’s no other way to say it.

Milum also shows a high football IQ. That’s what comes to mind when watching him on game film. He handled different kinds of blitzes and stunts pass rushers attempted.

Be more specific about Milum in pass protection

I’ll be glad to, because ‘pass pro’ in the NFL as it’s called in scouting is where it’s at. With 28/32 teams passing the ball more than running it in 2024, pass protection is a prerequisite to sending the card in.

Milum has a unique initial setup, which he often shows while pass-blocking. He takes a series of short choppy steps giving himself the ability to commit to the outside or the inside depending on which direction the pass rusher he’s facing decides to go initially.

He has active hands and he knows how to use them.

Milum has good athletic ability and one of the things that is special about him is his lightning-fast reflexes. This is great because he is susceptible to losing control of pass blocks through the back and front doors of the pocket (the back edge of the perimeter and through his inside shoulder gap).

That’s not good.

Thankfully, another thing that’s special about Milum is his competitiveness. TALK ABOUT EFFORT. This West Virginia left tackle gave it everything he had to give on all 754 offensive snaps (Pro Football Focus) in 2023.

His quick reflexes and effort helped him compensate for his weaknesses.

I need to see him seal off the front and back doors of the pocket better before sliding up him on my draft board, especially playing left tackle in the NFL, the side many of the most skilled pass rushers are coming from.

Run blocks like he means it

He’ll drive defenders into the ground like he’s planting them as flowers whenever he can and he’s highly effective at pulling and handling the defender that’s waiting for him in the hole.

Milum blocks until the whistle blows. He brings that kind of edge.

Out in space, the results are less certain. It’s hit-and-miss at the second level (where the linebackers line up pre-snap) and it’s even less certain beyond that. No question, he tries, it’s just a matter of having enough speed to get there.

NFL projection

Milum held my attention.

It appears his arm length is a concern, and he may get the opportunity to show what he can do at guard as well at the upcoming Reese’s Senior Bowl.

I have to admit, Milum is giving me Peter Skoronski vibes.

#74 Wyatt Milum 6-foot-6, 317 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s 2024 Fall Grade: Second-Round (I would select him)

Projected by 15.3% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of December 13, 2024 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

2023 game film evaluated: Penn State, Duquesne, Texas Tech, TCU, Oklahoma State, UCF, BYU, Oklahoma, Cincinnati, Baylor, and North Carolina (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

Note: Badly poked in the eye vs. TCU

2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Physical and scrappy prospect. Alert. Savvy. Capable of quick first step in pass pro. Outside hand placement around pad level. Decent base. Good balance. Solid anchor vs. bull rushes. Decent lateral foot speed, but not great. Tendency to stop moving his feet at the back door once engaged in a block. Sometimes ends up chasing. Handled stunts and blitzes. Rugged run blocker. Understands the art of leverage. Often does enough or just enough, but not always. Inconsistent sustain.

What to watch for during the 2024 college football season

1. Sealing off the front and back door of the pocket consistently?

2. Sustaining run blocks?

3. What does his run blocking look like in space?

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock, and has written for Sports Illustrated (Lions, Jets, and 49ers), NFL Draft Diamonds, and Yardbarker, as well as a featured guest on ESPN Radio and Fox Sports Radio. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. Follow on Twitter @firstroundmock.